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U of M researcher trapped by Gunflint fire

While the Ham Lake fire may have started just outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, there were three campers in the BWCA who got trapped by the wind and flames.

Lee Frelich was camping and canoeing on Seagull Lake with two friends when the fire started.

Red foxPhoto courtesy of LAYNE KENNEDY & Backpacker Magazine

Frelich happens to be the the director for the Center of Hardwood Ecology at the University of Minnesota, and has been planning to research the effects of fires in the Boundary Waters.

Photographer Layne Kennedy was on the trip with Frelich, and took several dramatic photos of the fire which he shared with us.

MPR's Steven John spoke with Frelich about his experience.

Gallery

A row of canoes set out by one of the BWCA area outfitters were burned in the fire. This was taken on the Seagull River near the Sag Store.Photo courtesy of LAYNE KENNEDY & Backpacker MagazineView full galleryThe smoky haze from the Ham Lake fire hangs over Seagull Lake toward the north.Photo courtesy of LAYNE KENNEDY & Backpacker Magazine